24 February 2010

Shepton Mallet - Giant Flea Market Sunday 28 February

This is going to be my last outing to the Giant Flea for the foreseeable future. I've been in the same spot for about 4 years now - can't believe it's been that long - but since taking over Dairy House Antiques I've found that getting stock ready for the Flea takes up my days off for at least a week prior to the event, and I always have to have the car loaded and ready on the Friday as I'm working at Dairy House on the Saturday. Most of the time it doesn't matter, but it has meant that if we need the car for personal living as opposed to work, there's an awful lot of loading and unloading going on, and to be honest I could do with a break from it.

I shall miss stalling out at the Giant Flea because, over the years, it has become an important part of my life - spending time with the lovely couple who have the stall next to me, chatting with the other regular stallholders, being very self-controlled and not walking across the aisle to the sweetie man opposite until the end of the day, selling or just chatting to all my lovely regular customers who have been so supportive and encouraging over the years, meeting new ones. At least my customers know they can find me at Dairy House if they are desperate for a fabric, lace or button fix!!

I shall miss the frantic scurrying around before the public are allowed in, when I have been able to restock my lace and fabrics from the outside pitches who are able to set up before we are allowed into the Showering Pavilion. I'm hoping that from time to time I'll still be able to get one of the other dealers to do at least the Sunday morning at Dairy House so I can shop before doing the afternoon stint. We shall see ...

I may find that I miss it all too much and will have to book another pitch. We'll see. If the weather is good through the summer months I may take a spur-of-the-moment outdoor pitch, just for the fun of it. Again, we'll see ...

In the meantime, thanks to everyone who has bought from me at the Flea in the past. This Sunday I shall be selling EVERYTHING at £1.00. I need to clear my sitting room, the back of the car, the studio and the garage ... nothing will be priced at over £1.00. This will be anything from fabric to lace to buttons to kitchenalia to pictures to knitting needles ... whatever I find on Friday when I fight my way into the studio (shed) which will fit in the car.

Hope to see you there. Apologies for the lack of photos but there will be piccies soon. This is post # 299, so I think there may well be a giveaway in the offing, and plenty of things to look at.

Thank you!

Sue

14 comments:

elegancemaison said...

Hi Sue - will miss you! (But not really as Dairy House is a regular call for me - see my Valentine blog.) Full of admiration for your will-power for resisting the sweetie man opposite - Oh - but only until the end of day! Will be round to your stand pronto to check out the £1 bargains on Sunday. BTW can recommend outside - though indeed very weather dependent!

Lululiz said...

I seem to live too far away from everything, sigh. The giant flea market sounds like a fabulous place to womble about and buy lovely things.

hens teeth said...

It must be quite hard giving this up in one way but on the other hand, you must be exhausted at times. You work very hard Sue. I Hope you have a great Fair...everything £1 ....sigh. x

BusyLizzie said...

you will be missed at le flea.. but I will be there to carry the torch!!!

Hen said...

Hi Sue,
We were thinking of coming on Sunday and I must say, you have made it even more tempting! If we make it, I'll be certain to seek you out!
Hen x

Clare said...

looking forward to seeing you this Sunday...hope I can get a look before they open up!!I've spent all day faffing with hat stuff ready for my first outing there..see you then x

Kissed by an Angel said...

Sounds like you have wonderful times!! We have nothing like that round here!!!
xxxx

Anonymous said...

Hi Sue, I don't know you as long as the others do, but even I could already recognize how hard you work. And the loading and unloading of the car, with those masses of wonderful stuff must have been exhausting. So take a "time-out" and who know's what's coming up.
It's only too bad, that I can't come over to the Giant Flea and buy loads of your fabrics, lace and buttons, which you will offer as real bargain! I'm always in need of vintage fabric. But I'll see you at the Dairy Textile.
Take care, Gertie

Rebecca said...

Oh no! I was hoping to make my first venture to the flea as a customer this sunday, but I am working! Boo! I might be going along to the April flea as an outdoor vendor, which is a bit scary! have a great day, I wish I could come along and see you!

Lucy Bloom said...

Oh Sue, that is sad, will miss seeing you on my occasional jaunts to Shepton. Hoping this weekend will be one of those occasions (Mr. Bloom willing!)

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Sue,
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday...don't forget to bring the thingies!
I know you'll miss all the good stuff that goes along with having a stand at the flea, but I also think the rest will do you good!
;-)) And, like you say, your fans know where to find you now.
Fingers crossed for dry weather,
Niki x

Anonymous said...

Hi Sue
Gill in Nether Heyford here, I've just found your response to my comment regarding Flore. I think I'm getting the hang of blogging at last!

The Flore playing field is just opposite where you used to live, on the other side of Nether Lane. Bliss Lane is the first left turning off the A45 when you go into Flore. It is a dead end and at the bottom of the lane is Bliss Lane Nursery, owned by Chris Littlewood, I don't know if that was in existence when you lived there.

Hope all is well with you.
Regards
Gill - The Vintage Gardener

The fabric of my life said...

By hook or by crook I will see you tomorrow honey. Don't sell it all before I get there ;-)

lettuce said...

i've been having a drool over your lovely stuff

I wish I could come to your £1 sale!
and am so glad it seems to be going so very well for you